At the foot of Misty Cloud Mountain, Gu He's figure suddenly appeared.
Glancing back at the towering gates of the Misty Cloud Sect, he turned away slowly.
"Hei Lin, let's go."
As soon as Gu He spoke, a towering black-clad man materialized before him. In the blink of an eye, his form twisted and expanded, transforming into a massive black python.
Gu He stepped forward, landing gracefully on Hei Lin's back.
"To the Snake-People's territory."
With a low growl, Hei Lin lashed his enormous tail and shot forward at blinding speed, vanishing from Misty Cloud Sect's domain in an instant.
Half a day after Gu He's departure, a colossal Iron-Winged Giant Eagle soared from the Misty Cloud Sect's skies.
"Junior Sister Xian'er, I truly trouble you this time," Nalan Yanran said gratefully to the Little Fairy Doctor atop the eagle's back.
"Senior Sister, you flatter me. I was already heading to Qingshan Town, so it's no trouble at all," the Little Fairy Doctor replied with a soft smile.
In her mind, the image of a blue eagle flashed briefly.
'Xiao Lan… it's been a year. How have you been?'
'This time, I'm coming to bring you back.'
…
Magic Beast Mountain Range
"Xiao Yan! Today, even wings won't save you!"
"I'll tear your corpse into ten thousand pieces to avenge my son's death!"
The usual tranquility of the Magic Beast Mountain Range shattered under the clamor of pursuit. Shouts and the thunder of footsteps echoed through the peaks as a massive chase unfolded.
The sheer size of the pursuing force forced even seasoned mercenary teams to halt their hunts, staring in shock at the swarm of figures rushing past.
"Isn't that the Wolf Head Mercenary Group?"
"Look—that's Mu She, their leader!" one mercenary gasped, pointing at the grim-faced man leading the charge.
"What kind of enemy warrants such a mobilization?"
"Haven't you heard? A month ago, Mu She's son, Mu Li, was beaten to death by a teenager in these very mountains."
"So the one they're chasing now is the killer?"
Driven by curiosity, many mercenaries abandoned their tasks and joined the hunt, eager to witness the audacious soul who had provoked the Wolf Head Mercenary Group's full wrath.
"Ten thousand gold coins to anyone who aids in his capture!" Mu She bellowed, his voice cutting through the forest like a blade.
His subordinates echoed the offer in unison, amplifying the proclamation.
Instantly, the name Xiao Yan spread like wildfire through the Magic Beast Mountain Range.
"Ten thousand gold?!"
Greed flashed in the eyes of every mercenary within earshot. After a brief hesitation, the first of them snatched up their weapons and charged after the distant fleeing figure.
Soon, the hesitant followed, swelling the ranks of the pursuit.
The clamor reached Xiao Yan's ears as he sprinted through the dense foliage.
Glancing back at the ever-growing horde, his expression darkened.
"Bastard's playing dirty," he muttered under his breath.
Veering sharply, he darted toward the heart of the Magic Beast Mountain Range—where the most ferocious beasts lurked.
'Let's see if you outnumber the beasts in these mountains.'
A cold smirk curled his lips as he pushed forward.
"Boy! You won't escape today!"
Mu She's roar, infused with Dou Qi, reverberated through the trees like a thunderclap.
Xiao Yan ignored the threat entirely, focusing solely on his path.
Seeing his prey's indifference, Mu She's face twisted. With a sharp inhale, pale green Dou Qi surged around his legs.
"Yellow Rank Dou Technique: Windstride!"
A gale erupted beneath his feet, propelling him forward at double his previous speed.
'Whoosh!'
The sudden rush of wind made Xiao Yan whirl around. His eyes widened at Mu She's rapid approach.
Cursing under his breath, he flicked his wrist, retrieving a Recovery Pill. Swallowing it in one gulp, he felt his depleted Dou Qi begin to replenish.
"Xiao Yan! Today, you die!"
Mu She's voice dripped with venom as the distance between them shrank.
"Die your mother, you overgrown toad!"
Spinning mid-run, Xiao Yan flung his palm backward. An invisible force surged forth, tearing through the air.
Mu She sneered, meeting the strike with a punch. A gust of wind collided with the unseen energy, shredding the turf and snapping nearby saplings in half.
"So this is why you're so bold," Mu She spat, kicking off the ground to close the gap once more.
"You're finished, brat!"
"Finished your mother—"
Xiao Yan's relentless taunts turned Mu She's face ashen with rage.
A quick glance confirmed the mercenary horde still hot on his heels.
With a sigh, Xiao Yan yanked the Heavy Xuan Ruler from his back. Planting his feet, he swung it once before stashing it back into his ring.
"Chase all you want—I'm done playing!"
With a final sneer, he exploded forward, his speed skyrocketing. Clad in green, he blurred into the shadowy depths of the forest like a phantom.
Mu She's jaw dropped.
'How?! Even with my Windstride Technique, a mere Dou Practitioner outpaces me?!'
"Xiao Yan! No matter where you flee, I will hunt you down!"
His roar echoed emptily into the trees.
…
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